Shaft-packing.



No. 822,802. PATENTED JUNE 5, 1906. J. WILKINSON.

SHAFT PACKING. AP'PLIOATION FILED NOV. 24, 1905.

uuentoz i -To all whom, it concern:

, JAMES w nt-son, oFYP ovInENoE, RHODE ISLAND, Assieuon TO, .WILKINSONTURBINE- COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ALABAMA.

' 'SHAFTQ-PACK'IING.

Be it known that I, JAMEs WILKINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented new and useful Im' rovelnents in Shaft-Packing, of which the fo lowing is a Specification.

My invention relates to im rovements in liquid packing means for the s afts of rotary ELIOtOI'S-Sll0h as turbines, centrifugal pumps,

My invention consists in a.shaft-packing having no mechanical contacts or close clearances between stationary and rotating arts, a li uid bein used to seal the joint. uch a pac g will ave no par-ts to wear or kee in alinemen't,-- is unaffectedby ordinary d' erences of ad ustment ofpartsdue' to expanslon and contraction, is small in slze and economical to construct, and is very-effective, particularly where high shaft-speeds obtain.

The acking is bestadapted-for use between smal differences in pressure, such as from fifteen to twenty-five pounds per square inch, through it may be compounded for higher pressures with satisfactory results, or it may e designed for use where very small differences ofpressure exist, such as one-half or one pound.

In the designs which I have chosen to illustrate my invention inits simplest form an element rotatable with the shaft is disposed within an annular chamber supplied'withi a body of sealing liquid and exposed. at opposite ends to the different pressures between which the packing takes effect. 'Therotating element rotates in close proximity to the in- 7' ner circumferential wallof the chamber, leaving a slight radial clearance between said parts for the flow in an axial direction of the circulatin body of li uid in the chamber,-

this flow eing induce by the difference in the pressures acting up on the liquid and maintained by the pumpin action of therotating element, the volume owing being regulated by the cross-sectional area ofthe circulationvopenings in. the elementor by'the cross-sectional area of the clearance between moving 1 and stationary parts. Thus, broadly speak ing, the rotating element through its limp-- ing action produces an axial 01101118131011 of:

I the liquid in the nature of a local action, the

axially-circulatin body of sealing liquid flow ing through the c earan'ce between the movl j Y Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed November 24,1905. 'se'riulwozzsasss Patented June 5,1906.

ing and stationary parts and acting to seal the joint. The greater the difference in ressure the more rapid will be the circulatlon.

A further deve opment of my invention embraces the use of a centrifugal pump of novel form for maintaining a continuous circulation'of the same body of sealing liquid under various diflerent pressures, which acts automatically to prevent a backflow of the liquid through its passage or passages and when in operation causes the liquid to check the flow of air or vapor through it in either direction. This is best effected by providing the element with annular side flanges leading from its periphery beyond the circulationo enings or pumping-passages toward the sl iaft and forming two annular chambers, the bodies of liquid in which are exposed'to dif: ferent pressures. In this construction the body of sealing liquid circu'lates freely between the element and its chamber, as above described, passing around or through the flanges and entering the rotating chambers in the element, where centrifugal effect is obtained to sealthe circulation-openings inside the ump between the chambers by forcing the liquid continuously through these openings against the higher pressure.

-As a further development of my invention I may rovide the flange or the high-pressure side the element wlth an annular jet-ori: fic'e opposite or above the normal leve of the water therein. The circulating body of liqthe annular chambers and us establishing. a contmuous axial circulation of the sealing liquid. Thebody of Water in the low-pressure chamber" being larger, due to the-incoming water and the opposing pressure, will have a height or head'over'the Water in the adjacent chamber and under a given speedof rotation .will be compressed by centrifugal action until 1ts pressure exceeds that of the higher pressure to which liquid in the lu'ghressure chamber is-exposed, thus causing t e liquid to flow.

periphery of the element in the chamber and eep the volume-of circulating liquid necessary to pack or prime the joint smalljI provide either part with baffle-plates or both arts with annular projections formin an mterleafed gland or tortuous passage, 0th of which constructions will act to retard the flow of the liquid, and thus reduce the volume of sealing fluidneeded. Where several turbines are provided with my packin at their exhaust ends, which are connecte to the same condenser, it is"desirable to provide means for sealing the packing-joint of any turbine of the set when not running. This may be effected in one way by providing check-valves for the circulation-ports which open toward the atmosphere and providing a means to force water into the tortuous gland so as to flush and seal it.

trates a rotating element provided with communicating chambers in which the circulating fluid under centrifu al pressure seals the circulation-ports and ows fromthe highpressure chamber into the clearance between the element and the casing to seal the cavity or joint. Fig. 2 represents -my preferred construction anddiscloses a rotary element similar to Fig. 1, but provided with a tortuous circulating-passage between the element and its casing. Figs.-3 and 4 are detail views illustrating two forms of the annular jet-nozzle from which the circulating fluid flows from the high pressure chamber in the casing or clearance.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

1 represents the stationary element, such as the exhaust-head, of a rotar .-motor which surrounds the shaft 2 at a, point where it is desired to pack the latter. P This element 1 is provided With an annular acking chamber o'r casing 3, having an annu ar opening next to the shaft, through which the web 4 of the packing device 5 passes. The web 4 is integral with thhub 6 and a wide annular rim 7, which rotates in close proximity to the outer wall of the casing 3. I provide circulation or pumping assages 1n said device,

referably by provi ing its rim 7 with annuar flanges 8 and 9, which may be integral or connected thereto and which project inwardly toward the shaft, extending to a point may be introduced through the port 11 into the high-pressure chamber H in the packing device. As the device, which is fast on the shaft, rotates this liquid flows through the ports 11 to seek its level in the other chamber L. The speed of rotation and the diflerence in pressures will determine the volume and the difference in the level between the bodies of liquid in the two chambers. The greater volume of water will be in the chamber L, its excess over that in chamber H being such that under a given speed of rotation its centrifugal force will overcome the higher pressure in chamber H and'cause the liquid to flow from chamber L into chamber H and thence around the flange 8, Fig. 1, or through ports 12 therein, Fig. 2, intothe casing. s the liquid leaves the chamber H it is relieved of the centrifugal effect and will therefore offer more resistance to the pressure A. The pressure A tends to force it toward the outer wall of the casing-and around the rim and flange 9 toward the low pressure V. After the liquid passes between the flanges 9 and 10 it is caught by chamber L and again subjected to the centrifugal effect of the rotating device 2 and forced, as by a pump, throu h the ports 11 into chamber H to continue t e circulation. The purpose of these flanges is to form two communicating chambers or passages H and L, which when rotated act as a centrifugal pump to cause a circulation of the packing liquid suflicient to staunch the joint 3. These chambers need not be annular, but may be arranged in pairs connected by ports 1 1 or may consist of passages leading from one side of the hub to the other in a manner to give a centrifugal pumping effect to liquid therein. 1

In its broadest sense my invention contemplates the provision of a centrifugal pump which will cause a continuously-circulating body of sealing liquid to flow against a head of pressure equal to'the difference in pressures per square inch between which the acking is interposed, this body of liquid eing .used to effectively seal all clearances in the could he, shortened; aswin Fig.1, to; the point .where .the ports 12., gare frmed"there' "inibut. a this woul e d, f h unbal' ance the paekinggdeviceZ ,I prefer to extend the flange 8 as near the shaft as possible.

,The ports 12 may be .of any. desired character;;but Iprefer'to have them open into an "annular. j et-orifice 13, whose cross-sectional ;area is. approximately that of the ports supplying liquid thereto... This construction provides for the'discharge of the packing liquid in an annular jet into the casing and insures an equaldistribution of the liquid to form the axially-flowing belt which seals the clearancebetween the rim 7 and the casing.

In Fig. 2 I show the outer wall of the easing provided with a plurality of projecting annular ribs or rings 14, interposed between similar ribs or rings 15 on the rim 7. The radial clearance between the stationary and rotating parts is as close as in Fig. 1 being as small as is practicable inboth instances. .The axial clearances are sufficient to permit normal end play of the shaft without contact of the parts. I thus provide a tortuous passage which materially retards the flow of the liquid belt over the rim, due to the drop in pressures between A and V, and reduces the volume ofliquid, which would otherwise be necessary for the pump to circulate to insure the sealing of the joint. means for retarding may be used, such as a small clearance between the flanges 9 and 10,

-- which would throttle the stream at this point.

Also the volume of the liquid in circulation may be varied by changing the area of the circulation-port s.

In Fig. 3 I show the annular jet-orifice formed by two detachable rings 16, having I I reverselytapered edges 17. These rings are set into an annular channel 18 in the outer face of the flange 8, intowhich the ports 12 open, N The flanged portions 10 are provided with turned -u shoulders 19 at their adjacent ends, whic act, as shown on the low-pressure side, to direct the circulatiing stream into the chamber L or around the flange 8, Fig. 1. A plate 20, forming a side wall of the casing 3, may be attached to the element 1 by cap-screws21 to permit assembling. Where it is desired to provide means to seal the joints against the atmosphere when the packing is exposed to the pressure V, which may be a vacuum, and the turbine is not'in operation, I place flap-valves 22 on the high-pressure sides. of the ports 12 to seal them and introduce water or other li uid through a pipe 23 into the tortuous glan at or near itshigh-pressure end. The liquid will flush the gland and as it flows therethrough toward the lower ressure will seal it against air leaking in. he valves 22,will not interfere with the circulation during run- Obviously other ning operation, as they are only held to their seats by the pressure A and will therefore be opened bythe pump-pressure. I rovide a drarifi-pi e 24 for thepacking-cham er.

e described illustrate the principle of operation involved in my improved packmg. They are not'to be construed as limiting the invention as hereinafter claimed,

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A liquid packing for rotating shafts comprising in combination, a chamber around the shaft, a rotatable element within said chamber, and a circulating body of liq- .uid acted upon by said element to produce a continuous axial circulation thereof in said chamber under a head of pressureexceeding the differential in the pressures between which the packing is disposed.

2. In aliquid packing means for rotating shafts, a centrifugal pump driven by the shaft, a pump-chamber surrounding the shaft, and a body of liquid in said chamber which is acted upon by's'aid pump and by the pressures to WlJlCll it is exposed to induce an' axial circulation thereof between said pump etails of construction hereinbefore' and chamber which seals all. openings or clearances in or around said pump for the purposes specified.

which rotates in close proximity to the cir- 3. The combination with a,rotating shaftcumferential wall ofsaid chamber, one or more passages leading through said element from its low to its high pressure side, and an axially-circulating body of liquid in said u chamber which enters said passages at their low-pressure ends and is forced through them by centrifugal action against the higher pressure to which the liquid is exposed to maintain the circulation of said liquid, for the purposes described.

4. In a liquid packing means for a rotating shaft, a chambered element rotatable with the shaft, liquid in the chambers exposed to different pressures and subjected to centrifugal action by rotation with said element, a ort in said element connectin said chamers, and a stationary chamber in which said element rotates and induces an axially-flowing belt of circulating liquid to seal the clearance between the element and chamber, substantially as described.

f In a liquid packing means for a rotating shaft, an element iotatable with said shaft and exposed to different pressures, a conduit rotatablewith said element and exposed to said pressures, a chamber in whichsaid element rotates, and a body of sealing liquid IIO therein which circulates in said chamber around said element and through said conin said chamber, a body of sealing liquid in said chamber acted upon by the pressures to which it is exposed and by said element to produce an axial circulation thereof for the purposes described, and meansto throttle the stream of circulating liquid. I

7. In a liquid packing means for a rotating shaft, a chamber around said shaft, an annular element rotatable with the shaft and disposed in said chamber, a liquid exposed to different pressures and continuously acted upon by said element to produce a constantlyfiowing belt of liquid which circulates axially around the periphery of said element between said element and chamber, and means to retard the flow of said body of liquid, as and for the purposes described.

8. In liquid packing means for a rotating shaft, a chamber around said shaft, an element rotatable with the shaft and disposed in said chamber, projections on said chamher and element which form a tortuous passage, and asealing liquid upon which said element acts continuously to produce an annular axially-circulating body or belt of liquid flowing through said tortuous passage, for the purposes described.

9. In a liquid packing means for a rotating shaft, a stationary chamber around said shaft, an element rotatable with the shaft and provided with two annular rotating chambers opening toward said shaftvand disposed within said stationary chamber, means to establish communication between said rotating chambers near their outer peripheries, a liquid in said chambers subjected to centrifugal effect by their rotation, means to discharge the liquid in a substantially annular stream from the rotating chamber exposed to the higher pressure, said annular body of fluid being acted upon by said higher pressure and caused to flow back to the low-pressure rotating chamber and in its passage to seal the joint between said rotating element and stationary chamber.

10.- In a liquid packing means for a 'rotatthe centrifugal effect on said bodies of liquid being such as to cause thedischar e of an annular jet through said orifice, an a stationary chamber in which said element rotates,

the joint between said latter chamber and element being sealed b the flow of said annluar jet of liquid induced by the difference in.pressures'to which the liquid is exposed.

11. In a liquid packing means for a rotatin shaft, an annulzr chamber surrounding said shaft, an element rotatable with said shaft, a body of liquid in said chamber, and a circulating-passage for said liquid formed by the clearance between said-element and stationary chamber andby one or more ports in said element, said element being adapted to act as a centrifugal pump to maintain the circulation of the liquid through said passage to seal it.

12. In a liquid packing means for a rotating shaft, an annular chamber surrounding said shaft, an element rotatable with said shaft, a body of liquid in said chamber, a circulating-passage for said liquid formed by the clearance between said element and stationary chamber and by one or more ports in said element, said element being adapted to act as a centrifu al pump to maintain the circulation of the i uid through said passage to seal it, valves for 'said ports which are opened by the circulating liquid toward a pressure which closes them when the element ceases to rotate, means to produce a tortuous passage in the clearance between said element and chamber, and means to introduce liquid into said tortuous passage to flush and seal .it, for the. purposes described. 7

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- IIESSQS. 7

JAMES WILKINSON.

Witnesses:

JAMES H. NOLAN, JOHN OASHMAN. 

